Kwara State to Emerge as Africa's Innovation Hub, Says Commissioner

Date: 2024-12-07

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Tourism in Kwara State, Damilola Adelodun, has expressed confidence in the state's potential to emerge as a global hub for high technology and innovation, akin to Silicon Valley in California, USA.

Adelodun highlighted the state's strategic investments in tech infrastructure and innovation hubs, which he believes will attract world-class companies and position Kwara as a leader in the tech ecosystem.

Silicon Valley, renowned as the headquarters for tech giants such as Apple Inc., HP Inc., eBay, and Netflix, serves as an inspiration for Kwara's vision to transform its economy through technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the activities of her ministry, Adelodun said, “In terms of legacy, one of the key projects I have been lucky to head is the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is more of a large ICT centre, which is arguably the biggest in West Africa. We also have a partnership with IHS Towers, and there is a fund of about N1bn earmarked for the running and for the programmes, training, as well as start-ups and venture capitals that would come here. We have a mandate to at least bring up two unicorns before the end of 2025.”

Reacting to critics who are of the opinion that the state is not a technology hub and should focus on other pressing issues, the young and beautiful government official said, “Interestingly enough, Kwara State has a big tech community. There are a lot of tech businesses started by Kwarans, including Kuda Bank. So, in terms of a tech hub, Kwara is it, and we want it to be the next Silicon Valley. If you think tech, we want you to think Kwara; not Lagos or Abuja. That is the vision for Ilorin Innovation Hub.”

Shedding more light on why the state recently hosted the Best of Nollywood Awards, the commissioner said, “The Sugar Film Factory, where the event was held, is under the purview of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology. People often forget that entertainment and culture have a business element to them. That was why we refurbished the rundown facility, which used to be a sugar factor. The studio is currently equipped for news, podcast and movie productions. We also have a training institute for youths, actors and filmmakers.

“In sponsoring and hosting BON, we looked at the benefit it could bring to the state, especially in terms of showcasing Kwara. I think it was very successful and we are looking forward to have more in the state.

“Many of the actors, filmmakers and creatives who attended the event loved what they saw, and many of them already have plans to do things in the state.”

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Moshood Bakare     Tanke Flyover Bridge     Barakat Community Secondary School     UITH     Lanre Badmas     Sulyman Tejidini     Aliyu Muhammed     Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs     Yusuf Aiyedun     Government High School (GHS), Adeta     Suleiman Abubakar     Ojo Isekuse     Shonga Farm Project     Kwara Liberation Group     Odo-Owa     Haliru Dantoro     Okanlawon Taiwo     Ifelodun     Prince Sunday Fagbemi     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Abubakar Abdullahi Bata     Kwara Metro Park     Abdulkadir Remi Hawawu     Alao Ayotunde     Opolo Global Innovation Limited     Bio Ibrahim     Solomon Edojah     Firdaos Amasa     Abdulkadir Akanbi-Oke     Muritala Awodun     March 18     Oro Grammar School     Tunde Kazeem     Shuaib Olarongbe     Unilorin     20 Billion Bond     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Mohammed Danjuma     Okin High School     Kwara-SAPZ Project     Tinubu Legacy Forum     Haashim Initiative For Community Advancement     Oloyede     Oloye     Ademola Kiyesola     Senior Staff Union Of Colleges Of Education     Oju Ekun Sarumi     Bank Of Industry     Omu Aran     Chief Imam Of Ilorin     Kamaldeen Gambari     Umar Ahmed Gunu     Abdulfatai Baakini     George Funsho Adebayo     Saadu Alanamu     Face Masks     Saadu Yusuf     Tsaragi-Share     Mustapha Akanbi     KFA     Joseph Bamigboye     Dapo Teni Nig Enterprise     Abdullahi AbdulMajeed     Gobir Organization Foundation     Ilorin Anchor Men And Women     Benin Republic     Amusa Bello     Nupe     NNPP     A.G.F Abdulrasaq     Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu     Tayo Alao     NURTW     Ijagbo Health Centre     Abdulquowiyu Olododo     AIT Ilorin     National Pilot    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Halimat Yusuf     Dapo Teni Nig Enterprise     Ayo Adeyemi     Modibbo Kawu     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa     Sun Qing Rong     Jamiu Oyawoye     Towoju     Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem     Convocation Ceremonies     Offa Grammer School     Abubakar Aliagan     Government High School Adeta     KWATMA     COVID     Ilorin Central Mosque     Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence     Ifelodun     Sadiq Umar     Ganiyu Taofiq     Raji AbdulRasaq     KWASSIP     Elerin Of Erin-Ile     Bolakale Kawu     Oke-opin     Hameed Oladipupo Ali     Ayodele Shittu     Adekunle David Dunmade     GANZY     Kwara State Sports Commission     Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji     Tunji Ajanaku     Yakub Ali-Agan     Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak     Bankole Omisore     Hassan Taiye Salam     Matthew Babaoye     Kawu Baraje     Volunteers Of Ilorin Community And The Emirate     Christopher Ayeni     HYPPADEC     Ibrahim Labaika     Emir Of Ilorin     Ilorin Airport     Babatunde Idiagbon     Fulani     Ministry Of Women Affairs And Social Development     Kwara State Television     Gwanara     Tunde Yusuf     Kumbi Titiloye     Olatunde Jare     Abubakar Abdullahi Bata     Akanbi-Oke     Tunde Akanbi     Danhawa     Bilikis Oladimeji     Yoruba     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Mohammed Saidu     Tunde Saad     Baakini     Ibrahim Sulu Gambari     Olukotun Of Ikotun     Ijagbo     Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Raji Ayodele Kamaldeen     Fareedah Dankaka     Assayomo     John Olobayo     Abdulrasaq Alaro     Abdulfatai Baakini     Unilorin     Oro Grammar School     AbdulFatai Adeniyi Dan-Kazeem